7 Year Old with ADHD

The big advocacy group for ADHD is called CHADD. It's for families dealing with the condition. They have support groups throughout the country.

With our son, we started with a child psychologist and then moved on to a behavioral therapist for help. Nothing worked until we met with a child psychiatrist and started medication (there is a lot of inaccurate info. out there about medications, so it's best to talk this over with people who know ADHD very well, like medical specialists and parents dealing with the condition. There also is a lot of misinformation and fraud, in particular, when it comes to diet, vitamins and "detox" treatments. Talk to the doctor first before trying anything.). Medication made all the difference in the world for our son and made all of the tips provided by the behavioral therapist be able to be implemented and work.

I also highly recommend a subscription to ADDitude magazine. It's a fun read and oriented to adults and families dealing with ADHD. It's full of all of the latest research findings and tips for helping someone affected with this condition be as successful as possible in society.

Best of luck to you as you begin this journey!
ETA: Not sure what LAUSD is ... you're not talking about a school district, right? They can't diagnose -- and in fact, can get in trouble for even suggesting a medical condition. I'm hoping it's a medical group. Only a specialist such as a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist has the necessary training to diagnose ADHD. ADHD is a very serious and valid medical condition that requires proper medical diagnosis and treatment.

Y., I am so happy you came to us MAMAS for advice. So, here's my take: Sugar, dyes, different food combinations and even toxins (in the environment and home) as well as what is going on emotionally can truly make a difference in a child's behavior. But, please also remember that kids are ALIVE and have feelings and spirit and do not deserve to be labeled or medicated. I definitely know from personal experience that psych medications (which is the usual route for "ADHD") do more harm than good and that, in fact, there are many natural solutions that can actually help with what your son is going through.

And, honestly, I'd look into the motivations of whoever is pushing to label your sweet son.

Please call the CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (CCHR). Their # is: (323) 467~4242. And, here's their website: http://www.cchrint.org/. They can definitely help you!

I highly suggest visiting Every Child Achieves.

Here's their contact data:

Every Child Achieves, Inc.
6400 Laurel Canyon Blvd #600
N. Hollywood, CA 91606
Phone:(800) ECA-8860
Fax: (866) ECA-8160
Email Address: ____@____.com
Website: http://www.everychildachieves.com
http://www.wellnessworkstherapy.com/

Ask for Brandon Seigel or Jill Campbell. They definitely will be able to help!

I also highly recommend contacting Judy Cutler who is truly an amazing Nutritionist and would definitely be able to help your son naturally. She is definitely a miracle worker when it comes to kids and their nutrition.

Here's her data:
Bio Tech Solutions
9736 Hillhaven Ave
Tujunga, CA 91042
Phone (818) 353~7454

She definitely can work with you via phone if you live too far away from her office.

I'd also recommend checking out 5 organizations validating why going the natural route is best:
http://ablechild.org/
http://www.cchrint.org/
http://www.fightforkids.org/
http://www.psychsearch.net/teenscreen.html
http://www.labelmesane.com/

And, Y., when you have a chance.....please watch:

Psych Conflicts:
http://www.psychconflicts.org/

Making A Killing:
http://www.cchr.org/#/videos/making-a-killing-introduction

CCHR: Depression Mental Health Screening Test Puts Kids' Health At Risk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDgBSSSVtrU

CCHR Says Top APA Psychiatrist Needs Lesson in Disease vs. Disorder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhjdbifuNco

CCHR: The Difference Between Medical Disease & Psychiatric Disorder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3JQ8OVHVWA

CCHR Antidepressant Drug Spoof: Tripolar disorder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8eS8BZdC1o

'GENERATION RX' Extended Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xehHwkPpevk

The Psycho Pharmaceutical Industry with Former Pharma Scientist, Shane Ellison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOT5DSIUTOY&eurl

Dr John Rengen Virapen, Whistleblower of the Psychopathic Pharmaceutical Industry, Speaks Out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QMYFgC_YSo

Psychiatric Drugs & the Brave New World: Featuring Jim Marrs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nGZ1T42lk8&eurl

Whistleblower Allen Jones/Mental health screening of kids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GhBfDMW2Fo&eurl

Fight For Kids: The Candace Downing Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xjx0gdL83I

CCHR PSA: Psychiatric Drugs and Violence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRJN_NfyiH4

CCHR PSA Warning on Antidepressants/Child Suicides
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgMovNmtRF0&fe....

Why we need a Mental Health Declaration of Human Rights: http://3.ly/arJ Read it here: http://3.ly/BFs

Drugging Our Children: Side Effects
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR4EWSbXLWA

AND

Too many kids on psych meds? Parts 1, 2 & 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73SRn1gdAdM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcvCtxaiOGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58UZqr3fiZI

It's vital you watch: "The Drugging of Our Children"
http://tinyurl.com/nrrpw5

I also truly recommend reading "Doped Up and Duped – nearly impossible to find independent studies of psych drugs with no Pharma ties." http://tinyurl.com/mj9494

BTW......I recently saw the trailer to "Comfortably Numb" recently. Have you seen it? If not, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG6IAV5VBD0. The website is: http://www.uncomfortablynumb.com I'd also read my friend's Ale's experience with these drugs: http://www.pointofreturn.com/alesandra_rain.html I always say the best way to go is naturally. : )

Please feel free to contact me anytime at: (323) 906~2784 or via e~mail at ____@____.com. I'd love to help you and your son however I can.

With love,
L. (MAMA to adventurously spirited, 2 year old, Dylan Orion.......29 September 2007).

please don't listen to them. My sister was diagnosed with ADHD (which is rare in girls) all it is is a disorder where your son just has a hard time staying focused. That's all. it's not this big thing you need to medicate or go see psychologist. Just work with him. My sister was diagnosed when she was about 4 and she is 17 almost 18 now. She's a great kid, but my parents made the mistake of giving her ridlin which made her stay 60lbs for 3 years. once she was off it she gained weight like she was supposed. If you see there is something that needs a therapists help then take him but other wise I'd work with him myself. Good luck

What ever you do make sure to get a second opinion especialy if they want to put him in a special Ed. class.
They did the same thing to my doughter some years ago, and put her in a special Ed. class because acording to them she would learn more there because there are only a few students and teachers wouldbe able to help her more, give her more attention, catch up to the other students, and be back in a regular class in less then one year. Well no, WRONG that was the worst thing I ever did to my doughter. she was so hurt and embarresed to be in that class that she got even more behind, she hatted me for alowing them to put her in special Ed.and stayed there till High shcool. on the other hand my nephew was dignose the same but my sister refused to put him in a special Ed. class and he was able to catch up to the other students in a regular class and gradutaed from high shcool and is now attending college. All I want to say is be very carefull before you make any decision. God Bless you and Good Luck

Call Westside Regional Center that is a good place to start; see if they can help you try to speak with a person in the age group of your son. If they won't see him ask who they would suggest you take your son too? If you have insurance then call UCLA for a hearing test. If not or limited insurance then try the John Tracy Clinic they do a hearing test for free but the wait is long. I would also try a developmental ped, I recommend Dr. Batra but there are others. If you need more help please feel free to email back. Don't worry there is help out there.

Penny Amic CEO/Clinical Director
Special Beginnings Inc.
An Early Intervention Network

Y.,

I work as an advocate, and there are some ideas that I have for you. First off, the school district is not the one who should own the evaluation that diagnosis your son, and a medical doctor must make this diagnosis for it to be valad. The school will be asking you to take him to a medical doctor to validate their findings or it will not be legal for them to claim IDEA funds to educate him with an IEP under the category of OHI (other health impaired.)

That being said, it is always best for parents to hold and own the evaluation that makes the diagnosis, and to know more about what their children need, including the medical, theraputic, and educational implications of his condition, and to know the whole plan for his treatment so that you know that you have advocated for eveything he needs to be successful.

A Developmental Pediatrican, or a psychiatrists and neurospychologist together can make a propre medical diagnonsis. A psychiartist/neurophsycholgist will probably be a quicker appointment, but a developmental pedaitrican will bring in more evaluation professionals should he need them, a speech pathologist, OT, or audiolgist, for example, will be included in a Developmental Pediatrician's evaluation process if that is what he needs. All that information will be crystalized into one evaluation report for you, so you get a comprehensive treatment plan that misses nothing. Call your nearest children's hospital if you wish to go with a Developmental Pediatrican, but it may take several months to get in to see one.

Never rely on the school to tell you what your son needs. They are not likely to evaluate any area that they do not intend to remediate, and will taylor his evaluation to include only the areas that they already have programs in place for. You need to know more than they do about your son.

CHADD is a good resource as is NAMI and www.wrightslaw.com. Dr. Mel Levine and Dr. Russel Barkely have both written excellent books about ADHD that you will find very helpful to both explain the condition and suggest therapies and strategies that will help you. Get on othe wrightslaw web site, and start with the article "Understanding Tests and Measurments for Parents and Advocates." Read it as often as you need to until you understand it and can interpret the schools evaluation data; this will help you when you obtain your own private evaluation. Read about advocacy, and learn about ADHD and the IEP lingo.

He will need medical care (medication is a tool that will help him access the therapy and educational remediation he needs) and theraputic care is essential to his progress.

People with ADHD essentially have a defect in brain chemestry. Brains, like kidney's and hearts are biolgical and have things that go medically wrong that respond to standard medical care. Medications for ADHD are both effective and well tested.

Brain cells do not touch. When we have a thought, these travel through the brain cells as electrical impusles. When the impulse reaches the space between these cells (the synapes) we use neruotransmitters (chemicals) to carry the thought over the space. If the neurotransmitter rectptor is damaged and cannot uptake the neurotransmitter, or the production of neurotransmitters is insufficiant, that person has ADHD and loosese track of their thoughts. Some areas of the brain may be more effected than others, so the ablity to speak or write or play soccer or watch TV may not be effected, while other areas are severly effected. It depends on the person. It is not something that is within the person's control, however, with the right training, intervention, medical care, and tons of hard work from you, his therapists, his doctors, his teachers and himself, he can learn techniques to over come many of the issues ADHD causes, relearn new and better behaviors to replace old ineffective ones, and will make educational progress that will help him reach his potential.

Good luck. If you feel overwhelmed, look on the wrightslaw site under the California yellow pages and find an advocate to help you.

M.

A diagnosis of ADHD does not necessarily mean the child has true ADHD. True ADHD is a chemical imbalance in the brain. It can be helped through medication, dietary changes and therapies. But there are A LOT of other things it could be (hearing, visual, sensory, vestibular issues). 2 years ago we had the school district pressuring us to put our son onto medication, but I refused. Further investigation I discovered he really has CAPD (central auditory processing disorder) which looks EXACTLY like ADHD. You can find out more info here: http://www.capdsupport.org.

As a mom who has been through the wringer with special ed, I would highly suggest you educate yourself as much as possible. Read the book The Mislabeled Child by Drs. Eide. It goes through all the various diagnosis, and also talks about how one diagnosis can look like another. Don't trust the school district to do what is best for your child. They have limited resources and tunnel vision, and you may waste years with no progress.

I would definitely get an outside opinion on the diagnosis. In Manhattan Beach you can go to The Learning Gym (http://www.learninggymusa.com). They use a comprehensive set of assessments to diagnose ADHD, and it is usually covered by insurance. They can do a screening for auditory processing disorder, and they can tell you if you need to have a full CAPD assessment by a qualified audiologist.

An audiologist is the only person who can diagnose CAPD, and with my son the pediatrician, neuropsychologist, developmental psychologist, speech therapist, OT and all special ed teachers/aides missed it. So if you think it might be that, only go to a specialist. The best one in the LA area is in Laguna Beach. She's listed on the www.capdsupport.org site.

HTH,
B.

if you are interested, mini yogis yoga for kids works with children with adhd and helps the learn to focus in a holistic way without depending on drugs and meds. it is a very effective program. :)
www.miniyogis.com